Oil-burning system



OIL BURNiNG SYSTEM Original FiledUune 21, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1" Mai/24255: I [rave/yon H. A. TEDMAN May 22, 1923.

OIL BURNING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 sh N N m, m h ww mfi PIN WWW M I o V m f I- WW Q m N w n N W QM \wj V MN h h u MN: QWMW RN 1 \x\\. A N ww @RN srs HUDSON ALVA TEDMAN, OF GALESBURG,

OIL-BURNING SYSTEM.

ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WINSLOW BOILER & ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

Application filed June 21,-1921, Serial No. 479,222. Renewed'March 1923.

To all whom. it may concern.

Be it known that I, Henson A. 'lnnMAN, a citizen of the United States, residin at (ialcsburg, in the county of Knox and State of Illinois, having invented certain new and useful improvements in Oil-Burnin Systems, do hereby declare that the 'fol owing is a full, clear, and exact description oi the same, reference being had to the accompany 0 in drawings.

fihe invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in oil. burning systems, and its primary object is to provide improved means for automatically controlling the oil supply to the burner synchro nously with the operation of the blower that supplies the air required to form a combustible mixture with the heavy liquid-goils, such as kerosene, now generally employed in burners used with steam generators; Other objects and advantages are attained aswill be manifest from the disclosure.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view, Fig. 2 is a side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view.

,In the drawings the reference numeral 1 indicates a combustion-chamber or fire-pot of suitable size and shape to conform to the design of the associated steam-boiler, and to which fuel-oil is supplied by a fuel-pipe 2. A blower 3 is mounted on a base- )late 4 and is provided with an air-tube w ich is connected at its outlet to the fire-pot; the air-tube preferably isdivided at its outlet into two branches or conduits '6 and 7 arranged tan entially to the interior of the fire-pot to eliver air to the pot in two 'lateral streams on opposite sides of the noz- -zle 8 of the fuel-pipe 2. The conduits are suitably connected to the fire-pot, and these parts are provided with supports 9.

The blower is driven by an electric motor 10, which is mounted on the base 4 and is connected in an electric circuit having any suitable source of current, and the circuit may be controlled to start and stop the motor by any suitable device such as the switch s, which may be operated by hand or any suitable means operating. in accordance with varying thermal. conditions in the device being heated. In the present embodiment oneterminal of the motor is grounded and the other is connected to the source of current, such as the battery shown,

by the hand switch b, which is also controlled by the thermostat T.

Apump 11 mounted on the base l is driven directly by the motor through a suitable interposed gear (not shown), and is connected by a suction pipe 12 to an oili'ced control-tank of the vacuum type. As shown, the pipe 12' of the vacuum pump connects with the suction chamber of a vacuum-tank 13, which is provided with a supply pipe 14 from a suitable supply of i'uel-oil and with a gravity discharge pipe 15 to the 'l'uel-pipe 2, The )lIlG 14' preferably has achcek-valve l6 and a strainer 17. When the motor is operated the pump ll. creates through the suction pipe 12 the nccessary,vacuum in the suction chamber oithe tank to draw oil into it through the pipe 14, and as the tank iunctiohs in the usual way the oil is then discharged from its gravity l'eed chamber into the pipe 15 of the oil line by which it is conveyed to the lire-pot, wind the blower or fan 3 delivers a suilicient quantityo'i' air through the tube 5 to mix with the oil to term a readily combustible mixture and ensure pcri'eet combustion oi the fuel so l'orim'ad. The oil is discharged into the lire-pot from the nozzle 8 and preferably falls upon an inclined distributing plate 18 located near the bottom of the pot by which it is\brokcu up and vaporized. 'lhe vaporized oil mixes with the inllowing air to form a fuel mixture which is readily ignited by a gas-burner l!) which is located under the plate 18 and is connected to a suitable source of gas-supply by a pipe 21). The distributor 18 is preluiated by the lighting flame so that the initial oil falling on it is more quickly and thorou hly vaporized to accelerate its mixture with the air and facilitate the lighting and burning of the fuel, and it is heated by the combustion of the fuel in the pot so that the oil falling upon it during the operation of the burner is vaporized by it. The plate is preteral'il perforated to allow the oil to drip through to further break it up in contact with the lighting-flame, while the air passing into the pot also vaporizes the-oil; the fuel mixture is readily ignited and continues to burn as long as the oil is supplied to the pot.

in case the burner ails to function. as for example it the air supply is inadequate or the gas-flame at the igniting burner 19 is not burning when the fuel-oil is flowing into the pot, the oil will flow from the sump 21 at the bottom of the pot through the drain pipe 22 into a drip or overflow pan 23 which is located below the level of the sump. The pan is suspended on one arm of a bell-crank lever 24 pivoted on a bracket 25 on the base and having a trigger arm 26 to engage a dog 27 on one-end of a switchlever 28 pivoted on the base at 29 and carrying an adjustable weight 30 at one side of its pivot and the movable element 31 of an electric switch 32 at its other side by which the motor may be cut into and out of the electric circuit supplying its current. \Vhen the pan 23 is partly filled with oil its overload or weight trips the trigger to release the dog and allows the weight 30 to move the lever 28 to open the switch to disconnect the motor, whereby the pump stops and the operation of the oil-feed tank is shut-off. The safety device may be set to operate upon the accumulation of a small quantity of oil l in the pan; itstops the plant when operative conditions are adversely affected, and

prevents the waste of fuel-oil or its accumulation in the fire-pot which is always perfectly drained as the ,pan is arranged sufficiently below the sump to allow the smallest amount thereof to pass out of the fire zone. After the safety device operates the pan is emptied and the parts are restored to their normal positions with the dog in engagement with the trigger-arm and the switch 32 closed to allow current to pass to the motor when the main switch S controlling the circuit is properly set.

An electrically operated fuel-oil stopvalve is located in the fuel-oil line between the oil-control tank and fire-pot, and is preferably controlled by the safety switch 32 in the electric circuit that operates the motor, the parts being arranged so that the valve is held open to permit the flow of oil to the fire-pot so long as the current passes to the motor and is closed to positively shutoff the supply of oil to the pot when the motor stops.

The valve case 33 is supported near the air-tube and preferably has a pipe 34 communicating therewith to furnish air to the interior and a perforated cap plate 35 to provide ventilation, m formed by a cup-shaped block 36 located in one end of the case and provided in its lower portion with the opposite inlet port 37 and outlet port 38 screw threaded for connections of the oil inlet pipe 15 and the outlet pipe 2 which pass through opposite sides of the case. The block is provided in its upper portion with a valve chamber 39 which is closed by a brass cover plate 40 attached to the inner end of the block by screws 41 as shown. The inlet port 37 opens into the chamber, and the central portion of the block The valve body is projects into the chamber a short distance to form an upward eXtensionwhich-is shouldered to receive a screen 42 which is held in place by a ring 43. The central extension of the block is provided with an oil passage 44 leading from the portion of the chamber above the screen into the outlet port 38, and the upper end of this passage is formed as a seat for the valve 45 which is mounted on the stem 46. The cover 40 is provided with a guide way for the upper end of the valve stem, and a steel disk or armature 47 is carried by the stem, being located a suitable distancebelow the cover so that the disk and valve may move up to open the oil passage. The upper end of the case is provided with a cross-bar 48 which carries a screw 49 by which a suitable laminated core 50 of an electromagnet is supported in place adjacent the cover 40. The core is energized by the coils 51 which are connected by the wires 52 to the circuit. When "current flows the motor is operated and the magnet is energized and the armature is drawn up toward the cover to raise the valve from its seat so that the oil will flow from the chamber 39 through the passage 44 to the outlet port and pipe 2. Vhen the motor stops. the magnet is de-energized and the armature and valve fall by gravity so that the latter closes the passage to the oil outlet port.

The arrangement of parts for synchronously starting or stopping the motor and energizing or de-energizing the magnet'to control the valve 45 may be varied, and in order to positively shut off all oil to the burner when the safety device operates I prefer to connect the magnet coils of the valve to the source of current throu h the switch 32. By this arrangement the e ectromagnetically operated fue-l-valve is controlled positively by the safety device; 'I make no claim in-the present application to this arrangement alone as it forms part of the subject matter of and is hereby reserved for my (to-pending application filed June 21, 1921, Serial Number 479,223.

The passage 44 is provided with an adjustable needle valve 53 to regulate the amount of oil passing through it, this valve being carried in threaded engagement with a screw-bushing 54 entering a suitably threaded opening in the block. The regulating valve 53 is held in position by a locknut 55. and it outer end is in a cup 56 that is formed in the lower wall of the valve body and is closed by a plug 57 to prevent access to and tampering with the needle valve, sothatthe. requisite supply of oil cannotbe affected or become inoperative unless the user deliberately interferes with its adjustment.

The valve 45, its stem 46 and disk 47 are tion of the valve mechanism, and all of these moving parts are ,in integral formation andthe only moving parts in the normal operaare permanently enclosed in the case. The valve 45 operates synchronously with the motor, it is opened simultaneously with the operation of the motor and remains open to allow fuel-oil to flow from the feed-tank 13 to the fire-potas long asthe motor operates to supply the air necessary to form a combustible mixture, and when the motor stops the valve simultaneously closes and no oil can pass to the fire-pot; the supplies of oil and air necessary to produce'a combustible mixture for fuel in the burner are synchronized. This valve furnishes a positive cutofi' for the oil between the vacuum-tank and lire-pot, and when its magnet is deenergized b by the user without taking down its parts.

- atureat a s stream of oil'falling upon it, it being obvious YVhen the motor starts the valve 45 is simultaneously opened for the flow of a full-head of oil regulated by the supplemental valve 53 according to the requirements of the plant, and when it stops or when the safety device olfiierates the flow of oil to the burner is shut o The ventilating pipe 34 is preferably connected to the air-tube so that circulation of air through the valve case to cool the magnet is assured by the draft through the tube.

The safety device automatically controls the fuel-oil stop-valve and also the oil-control tank, thereby ensuring a double safeguard against the-flow of oil when conditions in the plant require its stoppage.

In using my invention in furnaces or under boilers the oil is fed direct to the burner where it is vaporized by the vaporizing plate and mixed with the combustion-supporting air flowing therein from the low-pressure blower to form a combustible mixture which may be instantly ignited at normal or cold temperatures at atmospheric pressure by the burner 19 the oil is delivered directly and freely through the nozzle and falls upon the vaporizing plate which is pre-heated by the constant me of the igniting burner 19, so that the oil is vaporized and gasified by the heated metal body of the plate and passes as vapor and gas into the combustion-supporting air being delivered by the blower into the burner on each side of the late. The initial starting supply of oil is t us vaporized by th'hot plate and mixed with the combustion-supporting air and the fuel mixture so formed is readily ignited at atmospheric pressure and normal temperatures by the burner 19 and is burned immediately, and then the heat from the burning mixture reacts on thelglate to maintain its temper cient point to vap'orize the that when the heating burner is operating the heat from its flame and from its heated body is suificiently high to exert at atmospheric pressure a highy vaporizing influence on the falling stream of oil and on the oil particles into which this stream is distributed by the plate, this heated condition not being sensibly diminished during the shortperlods between the periodical or intermittent firing of the fuel. I am thus able to dispense with the numerous auxiliary and supplemental devices necessary in oil burning systems of'the aspirating or spraying type; by my invention the only parts driven y the motor are the low-pressure blower and the pump for the vacuum tank controlling the oil line, and these parts are positively stopped when the safety-device operates the motor-switch.

Also, in my present invention the oil-line is subjected to the double cut-off of the oilcontrol tank and the electrically controlled cut-ofl valve, both of which are governed by the safety-switch 32, and the shut-off valve positively prevents any oil from passing to the burner when the plant is inoperative either after a sustained run or between periodical heating operations. By employing a vacuum tank controlled by the motor a contant supply of oil is fed through the oil line during the periods of motor operation, and while the oil in the gravity chamber of, the vacuum tank is free to flow into the oil line during the intervals between these periods to ensure a ready supply of oil through the shut-off valve at the moment the motor resumes its periodic operation, the small amount that would thus pass from the gravity chamber of the tank would be negligible as wastage, and in any event the shutoff valve will function as a positive cut-off regardless of the amount of oil that passes to it. Both the vacuum tank and shut-ofl' valve are controlled by the motor, and can be set so that the operation is practically automatic and neither can be manipulated by the user and will not go wrong or become inoperative unless the user deliberately interferes with its adjustment. By employing a vacuum tank in the oil'line the main oil supply maybe located outside the building in which the apparatus is set up, thereby removing the danger of the oil flowing into the building or fire room in case it escapes from its container or supply tank, and also reducing the fire hazard or risk;,also, the flow of oil from this tankz /will be controlled by an air pump instead of by an oil pump with or its accumulation in the fire zone, and the safety trip and switch ensure they automatic toppage of the oil control tank and the positive closing of the shut-ofl' valve when operative conditions are so adversel affected that the fuel mixture is not pro need or ignited.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a burner, a fuel-oil line discharging into the burner, a vacuum tank in the line, means in the burner to vaporize the oil, an air pump controlling the flow of oil from the tank, a blower to feed combustion-air to the burner, means to ignite the fuel, and a motor to synchronously control the blower and pump.

2. In a device of the class described, a burner having a ,fuel-oil line, means in the burner to vaporize the oil, a blower to feed combustion-air to the burner, a vacuum tank in the oil line, an air pump controlling the flow of oil from the tank, an electrically controlled cut-off valve in the oil line, means to ignite the fuel, and an electric motor to synchronously control the blower, pump and valve.

3. In a device of the class described,- a burner having a fuel-oil line, means in the burner to vaporize the oil, a blower to feed combustion-air to the burner, an electric motor to drive the blower in circuit with a suitable source of power, vacuum-tank located in the oil line and operated by the motor circuit, a switch in the circuit, and connections between the burner and switch to automatically open the latter to stop the motor when the burner fails to function.

4. In a device of the class described, a

burner having a fuel-oil line, a blower to controlled cut-off valve located in the oil line and included in the motor circuit, a switch in the motor circuit, a drain for the burner, and an automatic safety trip between the drain and switch.

5. In a device of the class described, a burner having a fuel-oil line, a blower to feed combustion-air to the burner, an electric motor to drive the blower in circuit with a suitable source of power, a vacuum-tank in the oil line, a pump driven by the motor to produce vacuum in the tank, an electro-magnetic-ally controlled shut-off valve located in the oil line and included in the motor circuit, a switch in the motor circuit, a drain for the burner, and an overload trip-device between the drain and switch. 7

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

HUDSON ALVA TEDMAN. 

